Combination hat-case.



No. 760,537. PATENTBD MAY 24, 1904. H. HEFTY.

COMBINATION HAT CASE. APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 22,1903.

H0 MODEL.

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Patented May 24, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY'HEFTY, OFST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

COMBINATION HAT-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 760,537, dated May 24, 1904.

Application filed January 22, 1903. Serial No. 140,158. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY HEFTY, a citizen of the United States, residing at 1411 South Third street, St. Louis, State of Missouri,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in- Combination Hat-Cases, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawi This invention relates'to certain new and useful improvements in cases for hats, caps, and bonnets, being especially adapted for traveling men to use as sample-cases in the transportation and display of such headgear.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple,-light, and safe receptacle in which hats, caps, and bonnets can be safely transported without damage, can be readily placed therein and taken from the case, and can be displayed to the prospective customer when the case is opened and while they are still supported in their adjusted position therein.

The peculiarities of my invention will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, on which like reference-letters indicate corresponding parts, Figure 1 represents a view of a hat-case of my construction closed ready for transportation; Fig. 2, a larger view of the same in its open position for the adjustment and display of the articles above mentioned; Fig. 3, a detailed view of the preferred form of support, and Fig. 4 another form of hat-support especially adapted for bonnets.

Articles like hats, being light and easily damaged, require strong trunks or other receptacles for their safe transportation. When packed or nested in quantity, they must be so supported in the traveling case that they may not be damaged. When various styles are carried in a sample-case, it is also desirable that any sample or special style should be readily removed from the others for display to the customer. It is also of advantage that the various styles should be so presented to the customer that he may see at a glance the different styles and may readily compare the same without using separate boxes or cases or handling various other samples.

In my improved hat-case herein shown I have embodied the abovennentioned points of convenience, improved arrangement, andsafety of transportation, as will be seen by referrin g to drawings, which I will nowdescribe.

The case itself is. preferably cylindrical and is hinged alongone sideand locked at the other side of the cylinder, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The light strongframework A, of wood or other suitable material, is covered by a layer B of fiber, leather, or other suitable material, which is secured to the framework and the ends C by brads or otherwise. The case when openedtherefore presents the appearance of two half-cylinders, as shown in Fig. 2, and can be set upright on end for the display of the contained articles. 1

In Fig. 3 l have shown the preferred form of support for hats and caps, the same consisting principally of a piece of stiff wire bent in the form of a ring 1), provided with ends E and F, the latter turned downward at right angles to lit into an eye or socket G, fastened to the edge of the case. The ring D is preferably provided with lugs H at opposite sides, as shown in Fig. 3, which are directed down ward, so as to avoid the side brim of a derby hat when placed therein. Any number of hats may then be nested therein, and, if necessary, a strap I from each lug may be buckled over the same to hold them in place. The end E, supporting the opposite end of the ring D, fits within a socket or notch J in the edge of the framework and is kepttherein by a spring K. When the case is closed, this spring K is secured by opposite half of the case. Above the socket G is another spring, 'L, which prevents the dislodgment of the support should the case be turned upside down. When the support is inserted in the socket, this spring L is pressed backward and snaps out again when the end F is fully seated in the socket G. The ring D is covered with rubber tubing, which constitutes the preferred form of protecting material, to avoid rubbing the hats and caps supported therein. WVith hats having wide brims the lugs H are bent outward horizontally to carry the strap 1 beyond the edge. When bonnets are placed in the case, each article should have a separate support, and a series of sockets G are therefore placed along one side of the frame, preferably the hinged side, and at a considerable distance apart, so that each bonnet, with its plumes and ribbons,may be kept separate from its neighbor. The lugs H in such use may be bent upward and the hat-pin run through the lugs and bonnet to maintain the latter upon the support.

Other supporting means may be employed. The form of support shown in Fig. 4, having a dome shape 71. of wire screen, may be used, through which the hat-pin may be passed as it was through the lugs H. Upon opening the case, therefore, the articles will be displayed either upon their separate supports, as when bonnets are mounted therein, or nested, if desired, when hats and caps are used, or the latter may likewise be mounted separately and each style provided with separate support. Furthermore, the sockets G may be mounted on alternate sides of the framework, and the ends E may be swung outward from their notches J and display the articles to better advantage.

The trimmings accompanying head-gear, such as flowers, may be carried in the case mounted upon cardboard M and can fit therein like a lining, conforming to the shape of the casing without interfering with the articles on the supports. Feathers and ribbons that require space to be safely transported will then fit between the supported articles, as indicated in Fig. 2.

The ends E of the middle supports are provided with locking-tips, preferably by riveting a washer e on the extreme end or otherwise and which locks in a recess is beyond the spring K, so as to cross-stay the sides of the casing.

The end of the web strap I is wrapped several times about the lug and forms a little pad, through which the hat-pin may be passed.

The shape, as well as the inclination of the lugs H, maybe varied, and other cushioning material may be used.

WVhile I have indicated hats as carried in the case, I do not confine my invention to that particular article, but have described it as illustrating my invention. It is understood that any suitable article can be carried in said case.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with the casing of a hatcase, of the herein-described hat-support, the same consisting of the ring device D, having the lugs H, and the ends E and F, the latter bent downward to engage the socket G, and a snap-spring L, to prevent dislodgment.

2. The combination with the cylindrical hatcase, having the frame A and covering B and divided lengthwise, of the sockets G and guard-spring L at one edge of the case, the spring K, and notch J at the opposite side of the case, and transverse wire supports each having a turned-down end for said socket and adapted to snap into said notch J at the opposite end and to be locked therein by closing the casing, substantially as shown and described.

3. A drummers sample-case for hats or other articles, comprising a long narrow hinged casing, parted lengthwise into body and cover portions, swinging supports for the contained articles extending across the body portion, each support provided with a bentdown end forming a journal and an interlocking tip at the opposite end, and fastening means for each support consisting of a springguarded socket and snap-spring catch respectively located on opposite sides of the casing, to allow horizontal swing of said supports when the case is open, and to cross-stay the sides of the case and hold the contained articles in place when the case is closed.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY HEFTY.

WVitnesses:

J ULIUs FRANGK, MATT J. ScHEREa' 

